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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:08 am
"I am not a reverse cheater." Melisande said with mock firmness, folding her little arms, and then paused. "Wouldn't the 'not' and the 'reverse' cancel each other out?" She'd already proven she wasn't bad at math in the maze...she couldn't afford to be, with Vi's accounting on the line! "That would make me...Oh! You're tricky!" Any other girl probably would have playfully smacked him, but Pasha simply twiddled the tip of one slender finger in his direction, with an arch look that clearly said 'I see you, there!'
She accepted his compliment on her mannequin with a gracious tilt of her head, and wondered idly to herself is she had ever smiled his much in one day before. The Muse was usually of a more serious bearing, but this was...fun. Pasha followed Rivener's guidance, getting into position for the picture between the two mannequins. Tilting her shoulders and her imaginary hips just a bit towards the vest, in an elegant contrapposto pose, Melisande leaned over and captured the female mannequin with one finger by the long chain, as though the Sigel were trying to pull it into the picture as well.
"How's this?" Her curls were still a little wild, slipping over one shoulder, but Melisande's smile was radiant.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:22 am
Rivener had no trouble getting Pasha to cooperate, and he took the phone out of his pocket again with an air of glee. The Sigel floated back a bit to make sure he got both dolls into the shot with the Muse, and she adopted a pose for the picture without Riv even needing to ask. His eyebrows shot up in appreciation and his lips quirked into a slow smile. "That's perfect. I'll just take a few."
He snapped a few, and though there was no flash on his camera the images still came out radiant, in his opinion. Blame it all on Melisande's gorgeous smile. He grinned at her as he lowered the camera, eyes riveted on her frame, heart beating faster than it should. Try as he might to convince himself he was just interested in her as a friend, there was no explaining away this rapid pulse. She was just so surprising in every aspect, and her hidden-away sense of humor just fascinated Rivener, and she was so modest and unaware of her own beauty, and... Ohhh, I'm in trouble, he finally admitted to himself, his smile turning a tiny bit rueful as he lowered the cell.
"All done, you can drop the pose now. Thanks."
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:00 am
Melisande nodded, and shook her mane of curls back over her shoulders. She'd had her picture taken before, at the Cafe'...but this was much more fun. They'd posed her like a doll, and made her hold so very still that her shoulders had hurt afterwards! Pasha had tried a couple fun poses while Rivener was taking photos...hopefully one of them had turned out.
"My turn?" She held her hand out for the phone a bit shyly, knowing it was a little awkward that she didn't have a camera of her own. "If you'll show me how...?"
Pasha listened carefully to his pointers before nodding him over between the mannequins. She beamed over the camera, obviously having a ball. "Tell me when you're ready!"
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:25 am
Rivener startled as she asked to take pictures of him, as well. His smile returned a moment later, always ready to be photographed for whatever reason. "Of course you can! Here, it's very easy, you see the picture in the screen, and when you've got it centered properly you push here." He motioned to all the details as he spoke of them, and with a final warning that it took a second for the picture to actually snap so she shouldn't move the phone until she saw the actual picture pop up, he headed over to the two mannequins, placing himself between the two as she had.
The Scorpion plucked the hat off his mannequin and held it in front of his own head in a slight How-Do-You-Do, slipping an arm around the female model's waist to tip her slightly to his side. "Ready when you are!"
Like her, he tried a few poses, having a blast, grinning brightly the whole way. After two or three pictures, he waved at her to lower the phone, chuckling. "Alright, alright, that's enough now. How'd they turn out?" Riv joined her and took the phone gently, pressing a few buttons to bring back their recent snapshots, showing her the ones of herself and then admiring her handiwork with his own photos. "Nicely done! You know, I used to do that as a hobby, taking pictures. Not with this, mind you; with a proper camera. I haven't done that in a while... Makes me kind of want to start it up again. You should try it too, you've got a good eye for composition." He smiled at her brightly.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:53 am
Melisande laughed out loud with his first pose, obviously delighted. "Good!" She cried, snapping another one. "Oh, perfect!" Pasha was still laughing when Rivener took his phone back, and she leaned in close to look. Her curls cascaded over his wrist, she got her face so close to the screen. "I like that one! Oh, and that one!" She tapped the screen lightly with one manicured nail, poking Rivener's tiny digital face.
She was still flushed from laughing as the other Sigel pulled back. "You are a photographer?" Pasha's eyes were bright, and she smiled a bit at the compliment. "I've never tried it." She wasn't sure if he was inviting her to go out and take pictures, and despite the wonderful afternoon, the Muse was too reserved to ask. Luckily, she was spared by Viola, who emerged from the back room with phone still in hand.
"Sweet! Just finished scheduling the last pick up. We are going to have some amazing stuff next-WHOA." The girl trailed off, eyes wide in her freckled face. "NICE job, guys! Those look sick!" It didn't take her long to notice the phone in Rivener's hand, and she dropped her cordless on the counter and hurried over.
"Here, let me take a picture of you guys with your work! Oh man, if it turns out, can I have a copy to hang here in the store? Lemme see the phone! Squish in!"
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:02 am
Rivener's rising heartrate wasn't going to calm down if those soft blond curls didn't stop brushing his wrist soon. Melisande was looking at the screen, but Rivener was looking at her. He was in trouble. In a whole big heap of trouble, and now he couldn't pretend anymore. He'd have to either stop seeing her, or tell Zul about this, or... or something. He HAD intended to ask her to come try out photography with him, but now he kept his mouth clamped shut, uncertain. Spending more time with the Muse would be way too dangerous, and Zul didn't deserve that.
The shopkeeper, Viola, saved Rivener from the tangle of thoughts and emotions he was trying to sort out. She appeared like a tornado, with compliments and requests for more pictures and demands to see the phone, and before Riv knew what was what he'd handed over the cell, explained how to snap a picture, and retreated to the spot between the mannequins with Melisande.
"I wouldn't say I'm a photographer, it's just a hobby," he finally managed to reply to her earlier question, raising an arm to rest his elbow on his own mannequin's shoulder, his other hand casually placed on his own hip, leaning as if he were good friends with the immobile man. His eyes were cut towards Pasha though, watching her with a charmed smirk. "Ready when you are, Melisande. And yeah, you could use it, I suppose, Viola."
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:17 am
Melisande was suddenly a bit embarrassed. She was in rather snugly next to Rivener, and this time, she could feel his eyes on her. With one hand along side her face, as though she could hide from the situation, Pasha peeked up at Viola to see if the woman was ready...but Vi was already snapping.
"Thank you!" Vi squealed, taking another. "These are gonna turn out great. Pasha, drop your hand! Good! Wait, could you trade sides? We have tall and tall on one side, and short and short on the other. Good, there!"
The Muse laughed at her friend's energy, obviously entirely used to it. It was probably a bit much for Rivener though, so she hoped Vi would finish soon. "One more, okay?"
Viola sighed theatrically, and nodded, pushing the camera closer. "Make it good!"
Pasha settled one arm around the shoulders of the mannequin, and curved her other hand gently around the high rolled cuff of Rivener's shirt...fingers settling just on the inside of his arm. She looked up at him briefly, to make sure it was okay, as Viola snapped the shot.
"Great!"
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:27 am
Rivener's smile only widened at her shy pose, that hand so adorable on her cheek. He heard the click of the phone and blinked over at Viola: sneaky. Still, he could see that picture in his head and it made him a little self-conscious. As the human asked for them to switch places, the dark Sigel was already trying to justify everything again, keeping his eyes to the gray peacoat on the mannequin, putting an arm around to rest his hand on the swell of the foam female's hip. He felt something at his sleeve and looked down: delicate, pale fingers. His eyes wandered up to meet Pasha's shyly questioning gaze, his lips parting just slightly to speak, beginning to raise that arm she touched so he could... could what?
Snap! "Great!"
Rivener flinched and looked up and around, as though having forgotten where he was. He blushed slightly and cleared his throat, moving ahead to reach for his phone. "Alright, that's good then," he muttered, smiling slightly. "I can send you the picture if you give me your email. And good thing you took pictures, because most of the stuff on those mannequins is getting taken off again so I can buy it." He smirked at the freckled woman and bent to take down her email if she had one, punching it into his phone for posterity. A moment later he was at the mannequins again, pulling that white jacket off the male half of their fashion show, plopping the fedora atop his own head to dangle from a black horn for now.
He was careful not to look at Melisande again, fearful of getting caught in her spell one more time. "You wouldn't happen to have an email too, would you? To send the pictures."
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:39 am
"I don't." Melisande admitted, feeling a little silly. "I don't have a computer." She read a lot of books, and took a lot of baths, but those suddenly seemed like rather old fashioned pastimes.
"She uses mine." Vi filled in, without missing a beat. She rattled it off for Rivener, elbows on the counter as she leaned in to watch him type it. Unlike Melisande, Viola seemed to have no compunctions about getting cozy with the Scorpion. As soon as he was finished, she set to stripping the mannequins...checking tags and then automatically handing the garments over to Melisande to be folded.
Pasha took them happily, giving each piece of clothing a shake before expertly folding it to its smallest natural square. When she was done, there were two stacks...one with a grey wool jacket, a purple sheath dress, and a little gold key on top, and the other with a while and cream jacket, a pale military style vest, and a rather dashing fedora.
"And...this is for you?" Vi questioned, handing the ticket to Rivener after she scribbled the total on the base of it. The prices were half of what the tags said, with the words 'friends and family' scribbled next to it.
"And I would like to get this, please!" Pasha flicked up the end of the orange scarf she'd been wearing, and Vi nodded, scribbling something on a pad behind the counter. "Thank you Vi...it's been a lot of fun." Viola grinned and leaned across the counter, tilting her face so that Melisande could place a full, if dainty, kiss on her cheek.
"Anytime, sister! You too, Rivener."
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:23 pm
Rivener snickered as Viola hurried to jump in, no longer the shy, star-struck person she'd been earlier. The Scorpion wrote down the email in his phone and made sure to note whose it was- Viola and Melisande, Second Chances thrift store. He even added a second note to himself: Very good prices! This was proven two-fold as the addition was handed over, clearly miscalculated, and the Sigel almost handed it back, wanting to pay full price. That might be a bit insulting, and he certainly didn't want to offend his hosts, so in the end he just smiled and inclined his head. "Thank you, Viola. I'll be sure to come back here to shop soon. Such treasures."
He handed over the money and frowned as Melisande added an item as though paying for it herself. "My treat, right?" he insisted, paying for the scarf as well with a wink. He wouldn't hear of it otherwise.
They had their purchases in bags then, Riv handing Melisande her half, the red eyes glinting at Viola. He gave a bow of his head and smiled, very clearly pleased, and certainly going to return. "Well... I guess I should get going, then," he said as they floated away from the counter a little, Riv wanting a bit more privacy for his farewell to the Muse. Not that Viola wasn't nice, but he could almost feel her peering at them. He turned his back to her a little and rustled his wings, grinning at Pasha exclusively. "This was a lot of fun. I hope I... I hope we'll get to hang out some more." He was in BIG trouble, and he shouldn't have said that but it was too late now, and he should stop staring into her eyes like that but might as well ask the sun to stop rising every day. His smile turned a little bit enchanted and he floated half an inch closer without meaning to.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:40 pm
Viola was pushy, but she could take a hint. She waved cheerfully as Rivener turned, but unabashedly took a moment to admire him from the back. Shaking her head admiringly, the woman finally turned...scooping the cash box off the counter and ambling back into the store room.
Melisande's eyes were down cast...she was fiddling with the end of the rust colored scarf Rivener had just paid for. "I was hoping to get this for you...to say thank you." Rivener hadn't given her much of a choice, but she peeked up as she unwound it anyway, hoping he wasn't insulted. Carefully, if he let her, Pasha floated up to drape it over his shoulders. It was unadorned, easily unisex...and hopefully he didn't mind that it smelled like her blossoms. "If you decide you don't like it..." She shrugged, leaving the statement open ended.
"Thank you, for the lovely outfit, and for a wonderful day." Her smile was back, though she tucked her curls behind her ear with a hint of her usual reservation. "I'd like that!" It was difficult to keep her eyes on him...Rivener was smiling most kindly, and Melisande suddenly found herself at a loss. He was handsome when he was smiling, and the details of him were intriguing, especially when he was focused so intently, but it seemed improper to look for too long. Instead, Melisande settled the tips of her fingers lightly high on his shoulder, where the collar of the dress shirt gaped around his neck, and floated a bit higher to leave an air kiss by his cheek.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 5:43 pm
Rivener blinked as Melisande announced she'd wanted to get the scarf for him. And he'd forced her to let him pay! Eyes wide at his faux pas, he blushed slightly and stammered the beginnings of a few words before letting his mouth clamp shut. When she made to put the scarf around him, the Scorpion allowed it most gratefully, picking up one of the ends and suppressing a delighted smile as he realized its smell. Like that flower she gave me, he marveled, thrilled at the gift. "I think it's a wonderful present. Thank you. I do like it a lot."
She thanked him and expressed what looked like an honest wish to hang out more, but she was being shy again, tucking her hair behind an ear... Riv wanted to reach up and toy with those blond locks, but he forced his hands to stay down. He was treading all over the line he'd drawn for himself, and he felt awful about it! But she was so lovely, and so close, and kissing at the air near his cheek...
His head moved reactively, turning just a bit to press his lips to her cheek, none of that air-kiss business. It was warmth and softness and smelled of those flowers again, and Riv pulled away with a slightly goofy smile, a guilty light in his eyes. "I'll call you when Laz and I go out drinking again. That was the next one, right? ...Then maybe sometime you can come practice photography with me. I bet you'd be wonderful at it. ...I sh-should go, then. Thank you for showing me this place, it's a wonderful find." He'd begun floating backwards towards the exit, only half sheepish. The other half was smug as hell that he'd stolen a kiss, and he disapproved of that half thoroughly.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 6:10 pm
Melisande's lips parted in surprise at the kiss on her cheek, and her wings cupped forward as she drifted back. She nodded silently to his question, and flattened her hand against her stomach to squash a butterfly. The prospect did make her nervous. Would Rivener be as nice as he was today, in front of Laz? While he was drinking? Part of her worried, but she found herself saying, "Soon, I hope. Goodbye, Rivener!"
She lifted one hand in farewell, and sunk back as he vanished around the corner. Pasha had not only made a friend...she had another outing to look forward too! And almost unbelievably, with Rivener. The last bit of trepidation faded from Melisande, and her smile dimpled. The Muse was proud of herself...until she turned to see Vi standing there, arms folded.
"W-what?"
"You didn't tell me..." Viola growled, anklets chiming as she tapped her foot. "...that he was so ridiculously hot! I would have worn, I dunno...a skirt! What? Don't look at me like that! I own skirts!!"
Pasha shook her head, and drifted back into the aisles to pick out replacement outfits for the mannequins. "I know you do, Vi. A whole store full of them!" She ignored the flurry of insults (followed by a flurry of nosy questions) and floated peacefully between the racks, humming to herself.
It had been a long time since Melisande had hummed.
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